Baseball: A Two-Way Player

Chapter 719 42: Bombarding the Cy Young Award Winner

"Fans at Progress Field, let's make some noise---!!!"

Led by the Cleveland Indians' home MC, 37,802 home team fans present today stood up in unison, raising their hands to the sky, and let out resounding boos towards the Yankees' player area on the third-base side.

With the LED strips surrounding the entire field flashing red, the atmosphere of a devil's home ground instantly came to life.

Having finished his warm-up early in the bullpen, Sabathia stood with his hands on his hips on the empty ground near the third-base side, looking at this scene with mixed feelings:

In the 1998 MLB draft, it was the Indians who selected the then 18-year-old Sabathia, and the only Cy Young Award in his career was won while he played for this team.

He spent 8 years in Cleveland, his three daughters were all born in this city, securing 51 wins and pitching 787 innings at Progress Field. He is undoubtedly a legend of the Indians.

In today's do-or-die game, the Yankees did not choose the young Severino, but instead entrusted the starting pitcher's role to the now 37-year-old Sabathia, hoping his rich experience could help the team — for him, this meant he had to personally extinguish his old team's, and these Cleveland fans', last glimpse of hope.

Just as his thoughts were about to continue spiraling, a voice beside him interrupted the peace:

"Hey, CC, why are you so silent before the game today? This isn't like you! Could it be... you're scared?"

Having just finished the pre-game warm-up, Lin Guanglai saw Sabathia's deep contemplation the moment he returned to the players' area. Looking at this usually lively older brother in the locker room, he couldn't help but tease him.

Sabathia glanced at Lin Guanglai and couldn't help but laugh, saying in mock annoyance, "You little rascal, can't you let this old man about to retire have a moment to reminisce about his youth?"

Lin Guanglai was noncommittal to this: "It's only the divisional series, what's there to reminisce about? If you really want to reminisce, wait until we win the World Series, then you'll have all the time to reminisce - old man, don't think too much, pitch however you want today, as a young guy who respects the old and cherishes the young, I'll definitely back you up!"

"You said it!" Sabathia turned to face Lin Guanglai directly, looking at his face that could even be described as "handsome," "You better keep your word and hit a few more extra-base hits today; if you don't..."

"At least 3 doubles today — if I can't do it, I'll treat you and the whole team to Delmonico's for a feast, order whatever you want, drink whatever you like, however you want to enjoy it!" Lin Guanglai answered before Sabathia could finish speaking.

The Delmonico's mentioned by Lin Guanglai is a historic restaurant near Wall Street, where even ordinary diners can expect an average cost of over 120 US dollars without alcohol, tax, and tips; considering this bunch of professional Yankees athletes, all around their twenties, if it really goes as Lin Guanglai said, ordering whatever they want, drinking freely, it should easily rack up to tens of thousands of dollars.

This time, it was Sabathia's turn to be shocked: "Whoa, you're that confident? Today you're facing Kluber and the Indians' main bullpen! Aren't you afraid we'll eat your wallet empty? Let me remind you, if we win the game but you don't deliver, don't sulk, or tomorrow's sports headline will be 'Yankees suspected internal conflict.'"

"Don't worry, I can still afford a meal..." Lin Guanglai waved it off, then changed the subject, "I've placed my bet, CC, what about yours?"

"A bet? What bet?" Sabathia was puzzled.

Lin Guanglai gave him a glance of feigned annoyance and said, "If I don't get three or more doubles, I'll treat you and the whole team to a meal, but if I manage to, shouldn't you express yourself too?" Saying this, he extended his right fist to Sabathia.

"You clever kid, so that's what you're waiting for me..." Sabathia laughed heartily, "It's on! If you really manage to get more than 3 extra-base hits off Kluber and the Indians' bullpen, what's one meal?" He then extended his fist to bump Lin Guanglai's, signaling the bet was on.

The bet between Lin Guanglai and Sabathia quickly spread throughout the Yankees team, making the other players the happiest: after all, no matter who wins the bet, they get to enjoy a meal at a high-end restaurant, what could be better?

Looking at their amused teammates gathered around, Sabathia waved them off: "Scram, scram, don't think this meal will be easy to get --- the premise of the bet is that we have to win this do-or-die game today, otherwise, forget about eating anything!"

"I agree with CC's premise, so everyone, if you want to squeeze a wave out of CC's wallet today, let's give it our all!"

With the motivation from the bet between Lin Guanglai and Sabathia, before the do-or-die Game 5 started, the Yankees players' desire to win reached a new peak, truly reaching the pinnacle of the series.